7

Interference

Let A De he amplitude of the two coherent light waves, then in the case of destructive interterence

Theresultant wave amplitude R =AA =0

The resultant intensity in the dark
fringeI= 0
those in the
e Theretore. at regions where the minimum intensity is observed gives the dark fringes
interference pattern, see Fig. 1.5(b).
c nnum intensity occurs at different regions in the interference pattern when the path
difference A between the interfering light waves is equal to odd integral multiples of half wavelengtn
of the incident light.

A -
(2n ... (1.6)
+
1),n=0, 1, 2, 3,..
In terms of phase
difference
=(2n + 1)7, n = 0, 1,2, 3, ... (1.7)
1.5 INCOHERENT SOURCES 2

If the two
slits Si and S2 are
remain constant for about 10*s illuminated by two different sources, then the
and after that ô would phase difrerence o w
condition, the intensities due to two vary with time in a random way.
light waves would be different. Let
aj and az be the
In Sucn a
two light waves. Then the
intensity amplitudes of
is of these waves are not equal, af (I1) # ah (12).
The total intensity I
=R' af +a
=

I =h +a
Thus. the resultant . (1.8)
by each source intensity due to two incoherent
sources is the of the
pattern is not
independently and at all points in the sum
pattern, the intensity is same.
intensities produced
produced. Hence, interference
1.6 CONDITIONS FOR SUSTAINED INTERFERENCE
In
sustained interference
a OF LIGHT
pattern,
remains constant with time. To obtain the position of maximum
and minimum
the sustained interference, the intensity regions
The two light sources must be coherent. following conditions are required:
The two light sources must emit continuous waves
same time period. of the same
wavelength and having the
The distance between the two
sources of light must be small.
that the fringes are This gives large
separately visible. fringe width so
The two light sources must
be monochromatic.
The two light sources must emit
waves in nearly the same direction.
Light source must be a point source.
The distance between the two
sources and screen must be
width so that the fringes are
separately visible. large. This gives again large fringe